Cultures of water content

Our ethnic group, the Douala of Cameroon have a yearly celebration called "Ngondo" on the shore of the River Wouri. It is the opportunity for the sons and daughters of the big "Sawa family" people from the coast that stretches not only across the Francophone part of Cameroon but also to the Anglophone side to reconnect with our ancestors in a mystical dialogue that take places in deep water. During that yearly celebration, the mystical society of the Douala is expected to share with all the "Sawa Family" the message from the ancestors. (Sany, Cameroon)

To me water means life and actually water is lager than life. Here in my immediate environment water has diverse uses and means different things to different people. It should be no news that some people in this part of the world still worship water and water gods. To these people water is a form of religion. Generally though water is a source of living to everyone but it is pathetic to know that some people also use water in a way that effects others adversely; people use it to clean up their mess, by discharging effluents into rivers and seas by factories and industries, dumping of household refuse etc. I was brought up to fear “unusual” large masses of water. This is because, water, apart from being very useful may also be very dangerous. Some natural disasters have occurred in relation to water, people have drowned and many more. (Asekunola, Nigeria)

There are some churches who uses water as a healing process. Many of people came over all over South Africa in order to be healed in their problem and different diseases. They were healed by pure water that was blessed . Everyone carries a plastic container to get some holy water that was blessed by reverends and bishops. The place where water is blessed is holy so it is not everyone who is allowed to come inside. If one need the blessed you then leave near the holy place and then after the people who is responsible take inside your water. (Nombuso, South Africa)

Written Reflections

• Reflections on Water - South Africa
• Reflections on Water - Congo

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